Keep your chandelier high enough to avoid overheating the space.
If you hang your chandelier too high, it will be too far away to effectively cast light on your dining room table. If you hang the fixture too low, guests will feel like they're under an interrogation lamp. To avoid problems, follow the tried and true guidelines that designers use.
Hanging Height
Install the light fixture so that the lowest point of the chandelier stands 30 inches above your dining table. If your dining room ceiling is higher than 8 feet, allow an extra 3 inches of clearance per additional foot. For example, hang your lighting 42 inches from the table if your room offers 12-foot ceilings. Don't center the chandelier in the room -- center the fixture over your table instead.
Chandelier Height
The ideal light fixture will mimic the proportions of your room. To determine how tall the chandelier itself should be, follow this formula: Allow 2.5 to 3 inches for each foot of height in your dining room. For example, dining rooms with 8-foot ceilings require chandeliers that measure 20 to 24 inches high. Dark, Mediterranean-style chandeliers take up more visual space than lightweight, contemporary fixtures, so err on the smaller side if you're opting for dark iron lighting.
Chandelier Width
Use the dimensions of either your room or table to select a chandelier with the ideal diameter. To use the room formula, add the length and width of your room in feet. The sum denotes the proper span for your fixture in inches. For example, a 9-by-12 room requires a chandelier that measures 21 inches in diameter. If you prefer, use your table dimensions as a guide. At minimum, your fixture should measure half the width of your table. To find the maximum diameter for your chandelier, subtract 12 inches from the width of the table.
Bulbs and Wattage
Avoid high-wattage light bulbs; they not only create glare, but also heat up the room. Install a dimmer switch to provide the right ambiance in . If you're holding a formal dinner party, you need softer lighting; if you work at the dinner table, you need more illumination. Use this formula to determine how much wattage the room needs from all light sources: Multiply room length in feet by room width in feet, and then multiply the result by 1.5. If your chandelier falls short in wattage, add wall sconces to bump up the lighting.
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